All great family reunions come to an end at one point or another. H had to provide Christmas day cover so the eve was the last lunch we had with her.
9.20am. We loaded the car with all our shopping for her. We left Regent Terrace and went to Waitrose and Partners Cambridge near Hauxton for a last minute grocery top up for her. Christmas is a big deal in the UK and most shops close for at least 2 days. Though the tills in Waitrose start at 10am, the staff allowed shoppers in to take their pick.
It was a frenzy as those who had to do last minute shopping moved about efficiently to load their trolleys. H restocked her larder and we picked up some items to bring back home(spices, breakfast stuff, 40 gbp). By 10.15am, we left Waitrose only to see a long line of cars coming in. It did not differ much from Chinese New Year eve.
Because we were early, the drive to Stevenage took only 40 minutes. We stopped by High St (parked at the free carpark in Church Lane) and had a final meal together at Lola's. It was very good brunch (40 gbp) and the second time we patronised.
Back in her flat in Prestatyn Cl, we unstocked and packed foodstuff meant for ourselves. We stayed a bit while we saw her getting back to the rhythm of daily living.
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| View from H's window; Gloomy skies and low clouds |
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| Our Apartment, after a 50 min ride from Stevenage. We stayed on the top floor, access by way of a fire escape door in the stairwell. |
1pm. We made our way back, almost the same way we came. The sky as overcast since the morning. Though just a little past noon, it felt like 6pm. It was better to drive while there was still light.
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| Midsummer Common, River Cam behind |
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| High tide on Cam |
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| River Cam |
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| Budding tree |
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| Midsummer Common, River Cam |
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| A stroll to nowhere with Pat. This is after Grafton center |
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| The general mood on 23 Dec 2023 |
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| Mild winter; the trees are already budding |
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| Midsummer Commons |
2.15pm. Without much trouble, we reached our Cambridge base, this time just the 2 of us. After a short rest, Pat and I walked to the Grafton shopping area and beyond to see the River Cam. The Grafton center was seeing the tail end of the Christmas shopping; shops were beginning to close for the season. It was a pedestrian only area and felt nice to walk without having to watch out for traffic.
At the riverfront, we were greeted by the Midsummer Common. Though the sky was grey and pregnant with dark shelf clouds, the greens and space was cathartic.
We walked the entire length until the section near Jesus Green then turned back to Parker's Piece. I made Pat take photos of the mood of winter; the budding branches and an abandoned nest with the overcast sky as a dramatic backdrop. The creative process took a while but we had time to 'burn' anyway.
4pm. We had officially made acquaintance with the city center and the sub-centre of Grafton. We even checked out the eating places that would open on Christmas day (only a kebab store downstairs). With all entertainment and shops closed, we expect a very quiet Christmas morning.
Dinner was my favorite homemade ravioli in pesto sauce. The chorizo in the sauce was an overkill. I did not regret the pecorino garnish though it was an overkill too.
We fiddled with the TV, set up iplayer on the set and munched Lindt chocolates while watching 'Death in Paradise' , a series we knew quite well. It was a quiet finish to 2023 Christmas Eve.
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